About Us
Beneath the surface
The Jobe name is familiar to farmers throughout New Zealand and the world. We specialise in the design and manufacture of innovative float operated valves and related equipment. Our valves are trusted in agricultural troughs, evaporative cooling systems, high pressure cleaning equipment and many light industrial applications.
Our history
In 1967 our founder, Jim Jobe, was running a business selling and servicing swimming pool filters in Matamata when he discovered the commercial need for a high flow trough valve for dairy cattle drinking troughs. Never one to let a commercial opportunity go, he set about developing the first Jobe Valve — and so our story began.
Jim came from humble beginnings on a small dairy farm in the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames. After finishing school he learned his trade at Mac Ewan's Machinery in Hamilton under the watchful eye of his mentor Keith Fisher, and after 21 years left to set up business in Matamata.
More than 50 years on, the company is still family owned and is now operated by the founder's sons, David and Robin. While our valves are still mainly used in agriculture, they can be found in many light industrial and process situations around the world. Although New Zealand remains a significant market, the majority of production is proudly exported through distributors in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom — with our valves also found throughout Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.